The
habitation of the area has been continuous since ancient times. The initial
core was built on the top of the rock, where Xenophon mentions the presence of
an organized state with public buildings and temples. Few architectural parts,
which are integrated in churches, are preserved from that period. At the place
where that city used to be, during the Venetian rule a town-castle was built
which was surrounded by 3 consecutive, concentric fortifications. There are no
traces left from the buildings and facilities of the Venetian lords, since the
materials were reused in subsequent residences. In the first years after the
revolution the buildings extended outside the castle as well as in other parts
of the island where small settlements were created.